2 It’s important to make sure that no sizeable amounts of organic matter 1

remain in the soil after the excavation. Make sure that the footing rests on
well-compacted soil. The simplest and surest way to do this is to place the con-
crete on undisturbed soil. Digging into undisturbed soil loosens it and fluffs it
up by as much as 50%. If this disturbed soil is left loose under the footing, the
weight of the house eventually compresses it back to its original size. When it
does, the footing often cracks.

Disturbed soil
Undisturbed soil

Remove any
organic matter that
extends below the
proposed excavation.

WAY S O F WO R K I N G

Testing the Soil

One unscientific way to test the load-bearing capacity of
the soil is to push a steel stake into the ground. Building
inspectors often have a T-shaped tool made out of
½-in.-dia. steel rod. To test the soil prior to a footing Steel stake
pour, the inspector leans on the cross of the T and sees
how far the upright sinks into the ground. If the steel Penetrometer
rod slides into the soil with little resistance, the inspector
will require remedial work.
A more objective way to test the soil under the foot-
ing is with a penetrometer. A penetrometer is a handheld
device that works like a fisherman’s scale in reverse. You
push the penetrometer in the soil and check the pressure
on a calibrated scale. Look for consistent readings along
the length of the footing and a bearing value that meets
the design load in your area (usually 1,500 lb. to 2,500 lb.
per square foot). For soil found to be below that bearing
capacity, most jurisdictions require a plan drawn up by
an engineer.

B U I L D I N G F O U N DAT I O N S 9